Tumbler Die and Dice Having Changeable Faces

ABSTRACT

A first and second die each have a plurality of flat side faces and a pair of flat end faces. Unique marking are provided on each face. A connector releasably interconnects the first and second dies. Relative rotation between the first and second dies increases the number of combinations of pair groupings or markings that may be provided by the side faces when the dice is rolled. In a second embodiment, a hollow die has a plurality of faces and a cut-out is formed in each face, producing a flat part for each cut-out. Each flat part is press-fittable into its associated cut-out and has two sides each of which bears a preselected marking. Each flat part is removably mounted within its associated cut-out so that either the first or second marking is displayed when the flat part is positioned within its cut-out.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to dice. More particularly, it relates to die having faces that are easily changed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional die has six (6) faces, and each face has a fixed number of dots formed on it and no two faces share the same number of dots. A first face has one central dot, a second face has two diagonally spaced apart dots formed thereon, and so on as is well-known.

The drawback of a conventional die is in its immutability. The fact that no face of the die can be changed limits the use of the die to board games where numbers from one to twelve must be generated.

What is needed, then, is a die having changeable faces so that it can be used in a wider variety of board games than a conventional die.

However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in this art how the identified needs could be met.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for improvements in dice is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious pair of die.

In a first embodiment, a first die has a plurality of side faces, each of which is flat.

The first die further has a first pair of end faces, each of which is flat. The first pair of end faces includes a first inboard end face and a first outboard end face.

The end faces of the first die have a geometrical configuration determined by the number of side faces of the first die.

A second die also has a plurality of side faces, each of which is flat. The second die also has a second pair of end faces, each of which is flat, and said second pair of end faces also includes a first inboard end face and a first outboard end face.

The end faces of the second die also have a geometrical configuration determined by the number of side faces of the second die.

A connecting means releasably interconnects the first and second dies to one another. The connecting means includes a pair of protuberances formed in an inboard end face of the first pair of end faces and a pair of blind bores formed in an inboard end face of the second pair of end faces. This enables relative rotation of the first and second dies so that the respective sides thereof may align differently.

Each side face and each outboard end face of the first die and each side face and each outboard end face of the second die are provided with a preselected marking. These markings combine in pair groupings to form a unique “number” or expression.

Relative rotation between the first and second die is achieved in a first embodiment by removing the protuberances from the blind bores, rotating the first die relative to the second die, and re-inserting the protuberances into the blind bores.

However, said relative rotation may also be attained by other mechanical means that does not require such separation and re-insertion, and such means are within the scope of this invention. For example, the blind bores could be a single hexagonal bore and the protuberance could be a single snugly mating protuberance, perhaps with rounded edges so that it could turn within said hexagonal bore if sufficient rotational force were applied. Thus, application of a rotational turning force of moderate to substantial strength could effect relative rotation of the two die with respect to one another. Absent such rotational force, the die would not rotate relative to one another and they would collectively present a pair of markings upon coming to rest after being rolled.

If the dice comes to rest on an end thereof, then the marking of the end face that is visible stands alone as the marking that is considered in the course of the board or other game being played.

In a second embodiment, a hollow die has a plurality of at least six faces and a cut-out is formed in each of the faces, thereby producing a flat part for each cut-out. Each flat part is press-fittable into its associated cut-out and each flat part has two sides. A first preselected marking is formed on a first side of the two sides and a second preselected marking is formed on a second side of the two sides.

Each flat part is removably mounted within its associated cut-out so that either the first or second preselected marking is displayed when the flat part is positioned within its associated cut-out.

Each flat part has a main body of predetermined geometrical configuration and a pair of narrow arms. A spherical member is integrally formed with each of the narrow arms at their respective distal ends. A circular cut-out is formed in each face of the die, and each spherical member is snugly press fit into an associated circular cut-out. Each spherical member has a diameter slightly less than a thickness of the face within which it is formed so that the face lies on a flat surface without interference from the spherical member. This structure may be referred to as a ball and shoulder joint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel die when two die are connected to one another;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of said two die when positioned in spaced apart relation to one another;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of a first side of an insert;

FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of a second side of the insert of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the insert depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 5D is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the insert depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment, depicting an insert separated from its associated cut-out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment of the novel die is denoted in FIGS. 1-3 by the reference numeral 10 as a whole. Unlike a conventional cubical die with six square faces, novel die 10 includes a first eight-faced die 12 and a second eight-faced die 14 that are coupled to one another. A pair of blind bores 16 is formed in an inboard end of first die 12 and a mating pair of protuberances 18 is formed in an inboard side of second die 14.

Each die has six (6) side faces, collectively denoted 20, two (2) inboard end faces, collectively denoted 21, and two outboard faces, collectively denoted 22. When dies 12 and 14 are coupled to one another by inserting protuberances 18 into blind bores 16, or by some other suitable magnetic or mechanical coupling, an inboard end face 22 of each die is hidden from view, because said first and second inboard ends faces are in confronting relation to one another, as best understood from an inspection of FIG. 2. However, all six (6) side faces 20 remain in view as does the outboard end face 22 of each die. Each side face 20 and each outboard end face 22 is provided with a symbol, picture, or other marking. Thus, there are a total of seven (7) faces on each die in this embodiment that may be provided with markings. The markings may be different from one another or there may be two (2) or more faces that share the same markings, depending upon the rules of the game to be played.

When die 20 is rolled, it provides an expression formed by information on one of sides 12, one of sides 14, or on end face 22 alone, depending upon the orientation of the dice when it comes to rest.

In a first embodiment, relative rotation of the dies 12 and 14 with respect to one another is accomplished when protuberances 18 are removed from blind bores 16. Such rotation changes the combination of side faces 20, thereby still further increasing the number and variety of board games that may be played with the novel die.

However, said relative rotation may also be attained by other mechanical means that does not require such separation and re-insertion. For example, bores 16 could be a single hexagonal, or other shape, bore that snugly and rotatably receives protuberance 18 which could have a hexagonal or other mating shape as well, perhaps with rounded edges so that it could turn within said bore when a moderate to substantial external turning force is applied to the die yet refrain from turning when no moderate to substantial external force is applied.

Each die 12, 14 may have as few as three (3) side faces 20, thereby yielding a die having triangular end faces 22, not depicted. Each die may include four (4) side faces 20, thereby resulting in end faces 22 that are square. Each die may include five (5) side faces 20 so that end faces 22 are pentagonal, and so on. There is no theoretical limit to the number of side faces that may be provided.

FIGS. 4, 5A-D, and 6 depict a second embodiment, denoted 30 as a whole. Each die 30 of this embodiment is hollow and has a cut-out 32 of any predetermined geometrical configuration formed in each of its faces 33 and each cut-out 32 produces a part 34 of the same geometrical configuration. For example, a triangular cut-out produces a triangular opening and a triangular part or insert. A cut-out having a Christmas tree shape produces a part or insert having the shape of a Christmas tree, and so on. Each part or insert 34 is snap fit into its associated cut-out 32 and lies substantially flush with its face as depicted in FIG. 4.

A symbol or other marking 36 is provided on each side of each part 34 as depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B and each symbol or marking is different so that two (2) different symbols or markings may be displayed by each part or insert 34, depending upon which side thereof is positioned outwardly.

A part 34 is removed from its snug press fit engagement with its cut-out 32 by manually pressing upon said part until it falls into the hollow interior of die 30 as depicted in FIG. 6. The part is retrieved from said hollow interior by inverting hollow die 30 so that the part may fall through its associated cut-out or another cut-out of sufficient size and shape to enable its retrieval.

In a preferred embodiment, each part 34 has a main body of predetermined geometrical configuration and a pair of narrow arms, collectively denoted 38, that extend from opposite ends thereof. A flat round member 40 is integrally formed with each of said narrow arms at their respective distal ends. Each round member 40 is snugly press fit into a circular cut-out 42 formed in the respective face of the die. FIG. 5C provides a side elevational view of a part 34 having said flat round members 40 at its opposite ends.

The round member may also be spherical rather than flat, as depicted in the side elevational view of FIG. 5D where the spherical round members are denoted 40 a. The diameter of each spherical member 40 a is slightly less than or equal to the thickness of face 33 so that the face can lie on a flat surface without interference from said spherical members 40 a.

It will be seen that the advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. Now that the invention has been described, 

1. A pair of dice, comprising: a first die having a plurality of side faces, each of which is flat; said first die further having a first pair of end faces, each of which is flat, said first pair of end faces including a first inboard end face and a first outboard end face; said end faces of said first die having a geometrical configuration determined by the number of said side faces of said first die; a second die having a plurality of side faces, each of which is flat; said second die further having a second pair of end faces, each of which is flat, said second pair of end faces including a second inboard end face and a second outboard end face; said end faces of said second die having a geometrical configuration determined by the number of said side faces of said second die; each side face and each outboard end face of said first die and each side face and each outboard end face of said second die being provided with a preselected marking; a connecting means for rotatably interconnecting said first and second dies to one another with said first and second inboard faces in confronting relation to one another so that relative rotation between said first and second die increases the number of combinations of markings that are provided by said side faces of said dice when said dice is rolled; an outboard end face alone providing a preselected marking when said dice comes to rest on an outboard end face after being rolled.
 2. The dice of claim 1, further comprising: said connecting means including a pair of protuberances formed in an inboard end face of said first pair of end faces; and said connecting means further including a pair of blind bores formed in an inboard end face of said second pair of end faces.
 3. The dice of claim 1, further comprising: said connecting means including a protuberance formed in an inboard end face of said first pair of end faces; and said connecting means further including a blind bore formed in an inboard end face of said second pair of end faces, said blind bore adapted to snugly and roatably receive said protuberance so that said first and second die may be rotated relative to one another while coupled to one another.
 4. The dice of claim 1, further comprising: each die having at least three side faces.
 5. A die, comprising: a hollow die having a plurality of at least three faces; a cut-out formed in each of said faces; a flat part produced by each of said cut-outs; each flat part being press-fittable into its associated cut-out; each flat part having two sides; a first preselected marking formed on a first side of said two sides and a second preselected marking formed on a second side of said two sides; each flat part being removably mounted within its associated cut-out so that either said first or second preselected marking may be displayed when said flat part is positioned within its associated cut-out.
 6. The hollow die of claim 5, further comprising: each flat part having a main body of predetermined geometrical configuration and a pair of narrow arms; a spherical member integrally formed with each of said narrow arms at their respective distal ends; a circular cut-out formed in each face of said die, and each spherical member being snugly press fit into an associated circular cut-out.
 7. The die of claim 6, further comprising: each spherical member having a diameter slightly less than a thickness of the face within which it is formed so that the face lies on a flat surface without interference from said spherical member. 